Bed-tilting device



April 26, 1966 E. s. swENsoN ETAL 3,247,528

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April 26, 1966 E. s. swENsoN ETAL 3,247,528

BED-TILTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Foo'r ONLY l-IE INVENTORS 24M 6. 674/595041, BY /l//u//m/f (05%/ United States Patent O 3,247,528 BED-TILTING DEVICE Emil S. Swenson, 247 106th Ave. NW., Coon Rapids, Minn., and William L. Koski, 3905 Halifax Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,002 6 Claims. (Cl. 5-62) This invention relates to a bed-tilting device for producing controlled tilting of a conventional hospital bed.

Surgical patients, particularly in the older age groups, patients who have suffered severe myocardial infarction, patients with neurological and neurosurgical diseases, or generally speaking, patients who for one or another reason are conned to a bed for long periods of time undergo certain risks that are not undergone by the normal human being in his usual activities, that is standing and Walking. One of the more serious risks which long term bed ridden patients face is the possible development of phlebitis. Phlebitis is an imammatory disease of the veins and when it involves the lower limbs it can lead to the formation of intravenous clots which if dislodged into the circulation, can produce a fatal block of the blood stream which leaves the heart for the lungs. While the causes of this condition are unknown, it is felt that stagnation of the blood in the vessels which is a condition that does occur when the leg is at rest will predispose to the development of such a phlebitic condition. Currently, the best means to prevent occurrence of the phlebitic condition are through the use of elastic stockings or leg bandages.

Other patients are not able to breathe as well, when allowed to remain in a supine position for long periods of time, than if the patients head is upright. It will be appreciated that the supine position itself allows the poorest excursion of respiratory movements and will often result in secretions of the bronchial mucosa to pool in the lungs where they must be coughed up. Coughing in a supine position is difficult and very nearly impossible for some people.

Therefore it is quite often desirable and even imperative to have a long term bed ridden patient have either his head or his feet raised above the general level of the remaining portion of the body. Thus, as pointed out above, it is necessary to permit the lower appendages including the feet and legs to he elevated above the level of the head to prevent stagnation of the venous blood and it is desirable in other instances to elevate the head above the level of the lower body to facilitate breathing when the patient is suiering from respiratory involvement. Similarly, a head-up position is desirable to facilitate drainage of either pelvic or intra-peritoneal abscesses. It is pointed out, however, that it is necessary to keep the body of a patient substantially straight when the body is inclined. Sharp angulations at either the groins or the knees is in itself sometimes sufficient to allow the development of the venous stagnation in the lower limbs and subsequent phlebitis.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a bed-tilting device 4for producing controlled alternate tilting of opposite ends-of the hospital bed and which is arranged and constructed to accommodate most conventional hospital beds in supported relation thereon. Another object of this invention is to provide a bedtilting device including vertically extensible and retractable leg means for supporting opposite ends of a conventional hospital bed thereon, and also including mechanism for alternately extending and retracting each of the leg means to cause alternate tilting of the head and foot ends of the hospital bed supported thereon, and control means which is operable to pre-set the time each end of the bed is maintained at an elevated condition.

ICC

A more specic object of this invention is to provide a bed-tilting device including a frame supported at its respective corners by suitable extensible and retractable legs each having means thereon for supporting the legs of a conventional hospital bed, cable means being provided for interrelating the extensible sections of each of the legs, and means for alternately tensioning the cables associated with the legs at each end of the frame structure so that the respective head and foot ends of a conventional hospital bed supported on the tilting device may be alternately raised and lowered.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bedtilting device of the class described wherein the control means not only permit the bed to be alternately tilted with respect to the head and foot ends, but also permit either end of the bed to be solely raised and lowered, with provision to pre-set not only the amount of tilting but also permits pre-setting of the duration of time the bed is in either a horizontal or an inclined position.

These and other objects andadvantages ofthe invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrated in supporting relation with respect to a conventional hospital bed;

FIG. 2 is atop plan view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross Sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken approximately along line 4 4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational View of the invention illustrated in one operative position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FlG. 5 illustrating a different operative position, and with certain parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuitry utilized in the inventive device; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale of the control panel illustrating the various components thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specically to FIG. l, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel bed-tilting device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. This bed-tilting device includes a frame structure 11 comprised of a pair of elongate longitudinal frame elements 12 constructed' of suitable metallic material and which are of generally rectangular cross sectional conguration, and a pair of transverse frame elements 13 rigidly secured to the ends of the longitudinal frame elements 12 as by welding' or the like and also preferably of rectangular cross sectional conguration.

Opposite ends of each of the transverse frame elements 13 have secured thereto as by welding suitable clamping brackets 14 of the split type, each of which is provided with suitable eyelets 15 which accommodate bolt assemblies 16 in a well known manner.

Each of the clamping brackets 14 releasably clamp one of a plurality of substantially identical leg structures 17 therein, these leg structures being arranged in pairs at opposite ends of the frame structure 11 and each leg structure being disposed in vertically extending relation to support the frame structure at a predetermined height above the surface such as a floor. Each leg structure includes an elongate lower leg section or member 18 of generally rectangular cross sectional shape an-d an elongate upper leg member or section 19 also of rectangular salir/,52e

cross sectional shape and telescopically receiving the lower leg section 18 therein. Each lower leg section 1S is provided with a suitable caster Ztl of conventional construction to Vfacilitate movement of the bed-tilting device 10. Each of the upper leg sections 19 has a generally channel or scoop-shaped support element 21 secured to the lower end portion hereof as by welding and which projects laterally towards the leg structure adjacent the opposite end of the frame structure. It will be noted that these scoop-shaped support elements 21 are horizontally disposed and are movable with the upper leg section to which they are secured.

The upper leg section 19 of each leg structure is vertically shiftable relative to its associated lower leg section so that each leg structure may be vertically extended and retracted so that the effective height of the leg structures Acan be varied. Referring now to Fl-GS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that each lower leg section 13 has a pulley 22 journaled therein for rotation relative thereto about an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame structure.

Each upper leg section 19 has a pulley 23 journaled therein adjacent the upper end portion thereof for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the pulley 22. It will be noted that the upper circumferential surface of the pulley 23 actually projects exteriorly of the upper leg section 19 while the pulley 22 is actually positioned adjacent the lower end portion of the lower leg section ES.

It will be seen that the clamping brackets 14 are each comprised of a pair of clamping plates 14a each having extensions 14h, as best seen in FIGS. l to 3. These extensions 14!) of each clamping bracket 14 are disposed in spaced-apart relation above the associated transverse frame element 13 and accommodate a pulley 24 therebetween. It will be noted that each pulley 2d: is revolvable about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the pulleys 22 and 23 of the associated leg structure. Each of the transverse frame elements 13 has a pair of laterally spaced-apart pulleys 25 revolvably secured thereto adjacent the central portion thereof. lt will be noted that the pulleys 25 are revolvable about substantially vertical axes and the upper ends of the axles 26 of these pulleys project through an apertured retaining plate 27, the latter being secured to the axles by suitable nuts 28. lt will be noted that suitable spacers may be interposed between the pulleys 25 and the associated retaining plate 27, as best seen in FIG. 3.

Means are provided for producing the vertical shifting movement of the upper leg section relative to the lower leg section of each pair of leg structures 17 located at the respective ends of the frame structure il. To this end, it will be seen that a pair of flexible members or cables 29 are provided for the respective leg structures 17 locatedat the opposite ends of the frame structure. These cables 29 are each of identical construction and each cable has one end 30 thereof secured to the upper end portion of its associated lower leg section 13 and extends downwardly therefrom to be trained about the pulley 22, and then upwardly about the pulley 23 of the associated leg structure. Each cable 2.9 is then trained about the pulley 24 of the associated leg structure and thereafter about one of the pulleys 25 located on the adjacent transverse frame element 13. lt will be seen that the terminal portions of the cables 29 located at one end of the frame structure extend inwardly towards the pair of cables 29 located at the opposite end thereof. lt is pointed out that when one pair of cables 29 associated with the leg structure 17 at one end of the frame structure is tensione-d, then the leg structures to which these cables are connected will be extended. Similarly, when the cables at the opposite ends of the `frame structure are tensioned, the associated pair of leg structures will be extended.

Means are provided for tensioning the pairs of cables i s located at each end of the frame structure 11 and this tensioning means includes a carriage 31 which is constructed of a suitable metallic material and which, as seen, is of substantially rectangular at configuration. lt will be seen that the carriage 31 extends transversely of the frame structure 11 and has opposite ends thereof positioned upon the upper 'surfaces of the longitudinal frame elements 12 for sliding movement relative thereto. Depending positioning elements 32 are integrally formed with the lower surface of the carriage adjacent the supported ends thereof and engage the inner surfaces of these longitudinal frame elements 12 and prevent lateral displacement of the carriage mem-"oer relative to the frame structure 11.

The carriage 3l, as best seen in FIG. 4, is provided with a centrally located block member 33 which is integrallyr formed with and depends from the lower surface of the carriage. This block member 33 has a pair of substantially identical attachment rods or members 34 secured thereto and projecting therefrom, as best seen in FlG. 2. The attachment rods 34 actually project through openings in the block member 33 and are secured thereto by suitable nuts and these attachment rods project longitudinally of the frame structure 11 and are disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other. Each of the attachment rods 34 has an attachment bracket plate 35 connected thereto and which is suitably apertured to permit the passage of suitable bolts 36 therethrough.` Each of the bolts 36 threadedly engages a threaded sleeve 37 to which is connected one of the cables 2Q. Thus it will be seen that each pair of cables 29 located at opposite ends of the frame structure l1 is secured to one of the attachment rods 34, these cables being disposed in substantially parallel relationship as they extend longitudinally of the frame structure 11. It will further be seen that when the carriage 31 is moved longitudinally of the frame structure in either direction, the pair of cables located at that end of the frame structure oppositely from the direction of travel of the carriage 31 will be tensioned.

Means are provided fo-r shifting the carriage 31 longitudinally of the frame structure 11 to permit alternate raising of opposite ends of the frame structure or raising and lowering of one end only of the frame structure. This means includes a pair of endless drive chains 38 each of which is secured to the underside of the carriage 31 at points located on oppoiste sides of the block member 33. Therefore when the chains 38 arefdriven, the carriage 31 will be accordingly shifted. A pair of spaced-apart shafts 39 and 40 are disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other and extend transversely of the frame structure 11, as best seen in FIG. 2. The shaft 39 has opposite ends thereof journaled in suitable bearings 41 while the shaft 40 has opposite ends thereof journaled in suitable bearings 4t2. It will be noted -that the shafts 39 and 40 are disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other and each is located adjacent one of the ends of the frame structure 11. The shaft 39 has a pair of driven sprockets 43 secured thereto for rotation therewith while the shaft 4) has a pair of driven sprockets 44 secured thereto for rotation therewith. It will be noted, as best seen in FIG. 2, that one of the sprockets 43 is disposed in longitudinal alignment with one of the sprockets d4 and the chains 38 are trained about these longitudinally aligned pairs of sprockets.

j The shaft 39 also has a large driven sprocket 45 secured thereto for rotation therewith and this sprocket 45 has an endless drive chain 46 trained thereabout, as best seen in FIG. 6. A shaft 47 which extends transversely of the frame structure .l1 and which is disposed in substantially parallel lrelation with the shafts 39 and has opposite ends thereof journaled in suitable bear,

ings 48 carried by the longitudinal frame elements 12, as best seen in FIG. 2. The shaft 47 has a small sprocket aliases 49 fiXedly mounted thereon for rotation therewith, the sprocket 49 being disposed in substantially longitudinal alignment with the sprocket 45 and also having chain 46 trained therearound. It will be noted that a small driven sprocket 49 is secured adjacent one end of the shaft 47 while the larger driven sprocket 50 is secured to the opposite end portion of the shaft 47 for rotation therewith. The driven sprocket 5t) is driven by .a drive chain 51 which is also trained about a drive sprocket 52 keyed to the output shaft of a gear boX 53 which is drivingly connected to an elect-ric motor secured to one of the transverse frame elements 13. The electric motor 54 is a reversible type to permit the chains 38 to be driven in opposite directions for shifting the carriage 31 longitudinally of the frame structure 11 in opposite directions.

Control means are provided for controlling operation of the carriage shifting mechanism so that both the head and foot ends of the bed-tilting device 10 may be alternately elevated or selectively elevating either the head or foot end of the device. This control means also has provision for controlling the amount of vertical displacement of the elevated end or ends of the bed-tilting device from the horizontal, and the time the device will be maintained in either a horizontal or tilted position.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 it will be seen that the control panel and a schematic diagram off the circuitry -for the control means is there shown. This control means includes a rotary multi-pole function selector Switch 55 which is connected in circuit-controlling relation with respect to the main bus lines 56 and 57 respectively. This function selector switch 55 has three positions in addition to the off position for determining the speciic function to be performed by the bed-tilting device. It will be seen that one position indicates alternate tilting of the head and foot ends of the bed-tilting device; another position allowing elevation of the head end only; and the third position permitting elevation of the foot end only. A

The function selector switch 55 includes three decks or poles 58, 59 and 6l) which are mechanically interconnected and present an indicator dial 61 located on the control panel 62, as best seen in FIG. 8. The indicator dial 61 is provided with a pointer 63 which, as pointed out above, is movable from an oli position where the circuit to the function selector switch 5S is open, to one of three on positions where certain of the contacts of certain of the decks or poles of the selector switch are electrially interrelated. It will be noted that the stations or positions on the indicator dial include one station wherein the head and foot are alternately operated, another where the head only may be operated, and a third position wherein the foot only may be operated. When the pointer 63 is revolved, between the oi and the on positions, this pointer also causes corresponding movement of wipers associated with each of the poles 58, 59 and 60, respectively. Therefore when the pointer 63 is moved to an on position at one of the lthree stations or positions, the wiper associated with pole 58 will accordingly be moved to a position to close a contact interconnected by a suitable conductor to one of the corresponding contacts on one of the poles 59 or 60. The pole or deck 58 is connected by suitable conductors 64 and 65 to the main bus line 56 while the pole or deck 59 is connected by a suitable conductor 66 to its associated timer switch to the main bus line 56. Similarly, the pole or deck 69 of the function selector switch is connected to its associated timer switch means to the main bus line 56 by an electrical conductor 67.

lThree automatic re-set dial adjustable synchronous motor driven timer switches 68, -69 'and 70 are provided each having a dial type indicator located on the panel 62, as best seen in FIG. 8. Thus it will be seen that the timer switch 68 has an indicator dial 68a locatedV on the panel 62, while the tirner switch 69 has an indicator dial 69a and the switch 70 has an indicator dial 70a located on the control panel 62. rIhe timer switch 68 is variously adjustable to determine .the amount of time a bed supported on the bed-tilting device will be maintained in the horizontal position, and the respective switches 69 and 70 may `be pre-set to determine the amount of time the head and foot ends of the bed will be maintained in their respective elevated positions.

Each timerswitch includes a pre-settable pointer and a progress indicating pointer revolvably mounted thereon, and a knob is provided for setting the pre-settable pointer in a pre-set position. To this end, it will be seen that the rotary timer switch 68, which relates to the control means for controlling the time the bed-tilting device and bed mounted thereon is maintained in a horizontal position, includes a pre-settable pointer 68h and a progress indicating pointer 68C while the timer switches 69 and 70 each include a pre-settable pointer 69b and 7Gb respectively and a progress indicating pointer 69C and c respectively. During operation of these timers the progress indicating pointer moves from its pre-set position designated by the pre-set pointer associated therewith and revolves towards zero.

Referring now to FIG. 7 it will be seen that the timer switch 68 includes an electrical clutch 71 and a timer motor 72 which are connected in parallel by suitable couductors and which are connected by a conductor 73 to the bus line 57. The timer switch 69 also includes a clutch mechanism 74 and a timer motor 75 which are connected in parallel and which are connected by a suitable conductor 76 to the main bus line 57. The timer switch 70 includes a timer clutch 77 and a timer motor 78 which are connected in parallel and which are connected by a suitable conductor 7 9 to the main bus line 57. It is pointed out that the timer clutches are normally disengaged and when energized drivingly engage the timer motors associated therewith whereby when these timer motors arel energized they will be driven to drive the progress indicating pointer from its pre-set position toward zero.

Means are also provided for variously pre-setting the amount of displacement or elevation of the head and foot end of the bed-tilting device during the tilting operation and this means includes a pair of multi-pole rotary position selector switches 80 and 81 which are connected by suitable electrical conductors 82 and 83 respectively to the main bus line 56. Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that a gear driven multi-pole rotary switch 84 is provided with a drive shaft 85 having a sprocket 86 secured to the end thereof about which is trained a drive chain 87. The counter or driven shaft 39 is also provided with a sprocket adjacent one end thereof about which the drive chain 87 is trained whereby when the shaft 39 is driven or revolved, the shaft 8S will also be driven yto revolve the wipers associated with the pair of poles of the gear driven rotary switch 84. v

It will be seen that the position selector switch Si? has an indicator dial -88 on the control panel 62 having a plurality of indicia calibrated in increment of inches arranged around the periphery thereof. A pointer 89 which is manually operable is aiso provided for pre-selecting the amount of displacement or elevation the head end of the bed will be raised. Similarly, the position selector switch 81 also includes an indicator dial 90 on the control panel 62 and which is provided with indicia arranged circumferentially thereof in the manner of the indicia of the indicator dial 85 The indicator dial 90 is also provided with a pointer 91 which is manually adjustable to the range of values or indicia of the indicator dial 90. It will be seen that the indicator dials 88 and 90 are substantially identical in construction and the indicia illustrated thereon;

are calibrated or indexed in two inch increments.

Each of the indicia of the position selector switch 80 constitutes an electrical contact which is connected by a suitable conductor 92 to one of a plurality of contacts which are arranged circumferentially of the deck or pole 93 of the geardriven multi-pole rotary switch S4. This pole or deck 93 is provided with a revolvable wiper 95 which is connected by a suitable conductor 94 to the timer switch 69. Wiper 9S is revolvable to successively engage each of the contacts of this pole.

Each of the indicia of the position selector switch 81 also constitutes or comprises an electrical contact which is connected by a suitable electrical conductor to one of a plurality of corresponding indicia located on a second pole or deck 97 of the rotary switch 84. This pole or deck 97 is provided with a suitable wiper 9; which is revolvably driven during rotation of the rotary switch shaft 85 and which is connected by a suitable electrical conductor 99 to the timer switch 70. The timer switch 68 is interconnected with the unain bus line 56 by an electrical conductor 190, as best seen in FIG. 7. it will also be noted that a pilot light 191 is located on the control panel 62 and is interconnected by suitable electrical conductors 102 and 103 to the main bus lines 56 and 57 respectively. Thus when the function selector switch 55 is energized the pilot light will also -be energized. A fuse 104 is interposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to the function selector switch to prevent damage to any of the various components of the circuitry.

During operation of the bed-tilting device, a bed will be positioned upon the support elements 21 which are carried by the upper leg sections 13 of each ieg structure. Assuming, for the purpose of illustration, that the bed-tilting device as well as the bed carried thereby are disposed in a substantially horizontal position, as illustrated in FiG. 1, it must first be determined `which speciiic type of operation is to be performed by the bed-tilting device. If, for example, the bed-tilting device is to be operated so as to alternately tilt or raise the head and foot ends respectively of the hospital bed, then the length of time the bed is to be maintained in each of its three positions must be determined. Further, the amount of vertical movement or displacement of each end of the hospital bed must also be determined. Therefore, the timer switch 68 is pre-set to indicate the amount of time the bed will be maintained in a horizontal or mid position while the timer switch 69 is pre-set to determine the amount of time the bed will be maintained in a position wherein the head end is elevated. Similarly, the timer switch 70 is pre-set to determine the amount of time the bed will be maintained in its elevated position. This is done by moving the pre-settable pointer of each dial indicator to the desired value.

Thereafter, lthe position selector switches Si? and 81 are pre-set to determine the amount of elevation or displacement the respective head and foot ends of the hospital bed will be elevated. The pointer of the function selector switch 55 is revolved to the head-foot position to thereby energize the forward winding 54a of the electric motor 54. The shafts 47 and 39 are revolved in a direction to move the carriage 31 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, to tension the cables 29 at the left end of the bed-tilting device so that the respective upper leg sections are vertically shifted relative to the lower leg sections thereof. lt is pointed out that during this shifting movement, the leg structures 17 located at the opposite end of the bed-tilting device do not retract so that this bed-tilting device is actually tilted about opposite ends thereof.

During movement of the carriage 31 in a direction to raise the head end of the bed, the gear driven rotary switch S4 is also driven through its drive connection with the shaft 39. Therefore when the wiper 95 of the pole 93 engages the contact thereon which is interconnected to the electrical contact on vthe position selector switch 80 which corresponds to the pre-set amount of movement the head end of the bed is to be raised, then the circuit to the timer 69 is closed to energize the clutch 74 and to simultaneously energize the timer motor 75. it is pointed out that the clutch mechanisms of the various timer switches are the normally disengaged type and must thereby be energized before the clutch drivingly engages the associated timer motor. When the clutch 74 is energized,

it immediately opens the head timer contact 105 of the timer switch 69 so that the power relay coil 106 is deenergized thereby opening the main power contact and shutting oit the motor 54. When the progress indicating pointer 6912 is moved through its predetermined arc, the head timer contact 107 of the timer switch 69 is closed thereby re-establishing the circuit to the power relay coil 106 which in turn causes the main power contact to close thereby restarting the motor 54. The gear driven rotary switch is then revolved in the same direction as it was prior to interruption of the drive thereto which results in breaking the circuit to the timer switch 69 since the wiper will ha 'e moved out of contacting relation with the appropriate contact thereon. rhis allows the timer to re-set in preparation for the next subsequent operation and the progress indicating pointer is again moved to the pre-set value determined by the pre-set pointer 69C.

At the time the power relay coil 106 was de-energized the clutch 74 closed the timer contact 198 of the timer switch 69 thereby energizing the latching relay coil 109 which in turn closes its own contact 110 thereby completely latching the circuit to the foot timer contact 111 and deck or pole 59 of the function selector switch 55, all of which is required to maintain the latching circuit in proper relation for the time when the head timer switch 69 re-sets, thereby opening the head timer switch 108.

Simultaneously when the latching relay Contact 110 was closed, the latch relay contact 112 was opened and its latch relay contact 113, closes which action opens the circuit to the forward winding 54a of the motor 54 and closes the circuit to the reverse winding 54h of the motor. It will be appreciated that during the process of latching and reversing the rotation of the motor 54, the main power relay coil 106 has been de-energized so that no power is supplied to the motor 54.

Carriage 31 is now traveling in the opposite direction and to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, to eventually tension the cables 29 located at the right hand end of the bed and to progressively diminish the tension on the cables Z9 located at the opposite end of the bed. Therefore the upper leg sections 19 at the head end of the bed will be moved downwardy or retracted relative to their associated lower leg sections 18 until the leg structures at the head end assume their original retracted position. The bed-tilting device will, however, first return to the horizontal position since no tension will be exterted on the cables vfor eX- tending the foot end leg structures of the bed-tilting device until the carriage has passed beyond its mid-point position. When the carriage 31 reaches its mid position, it will contact a mid limit switch 114 located in circuit controlling relation with respect to the conductor to thereby close the contact to the switch. When the limit switch 114 is closed, the circuit to the timer switch 68 is closed thereby energizing the clutch 77, the timer motor 78 and initiating a similar timing process to that described relative to the timer switch 69. The only diiierence from the timing process involved with respect to the timer 68 is that the latching circuit is not distrubed and at the end of the timing cycle, the main bed motor 54 simply continues to revolve in the :same direction.

Thereafter the carriage 31 will be moved in a direction to tension the cables 29 for raising the foot end of the bed-tilting device, and the leg structures at the foot end of the bed-tilting device will be extended until the gear driven rotary switch arrives at a position which correlates with the pre-set position of the foot height selector switch 81. At this time, the circuit to the timing switch 70 will be energized to energize the clutch 71 and the timer motor 72 so that the timing process initiated is similar to the timing process relating to the timer switch 69. However, the latching circuit is broken thereby closing the circuit to the forward winding 54a of the motor 54 in preparation for the subsequent head raising process.

In the event that the head operation only is required, the timing circuits are identical except that the breaking of the latching circuit takes place when the bed is in the horizontal position or when the carriage 31 is in its median position of travel. Similarly, when it is desired to elevate only the foot end of the bed-tilting device and the hospital bed mounted thereon, by means of pre-setting the function selector switch 55, the timer circuits are again identical except that the latching of the latching circuit now takes place at the mid-point or horizontal position of the bed rather than at the head. Beyond the extremes of normal lift or height, two normally closed limit switches 115 and 116 are mounted in such a manner that failure of any components in operation -beyond the normal extremes will cause the motor 54 to shut olf. It will be noted that these limit switches are arranged in circuit controlling relation with respect to the conductor 117 which connects the motor 54b to the main bus line 56.

Further, a single pole double throw mercury switch 118 is provided and connected in circuit controlling relation with respect to the motor 54 and is operable through a single button contact switch 119 which may be depressed to energize the motor 54 in the event there is a failure of some component in the control system, and which will -permit the bed-tilting device to be returned to the horizontal position, at which time the single button contact switch may be released. The mercury switch 11S assures that the motor will rotate in the correct direction under all circumstances. The function selector switch 55 incorporates the man power on-off control and an indicator light or lamp 101 is illuminated when the function selector switch is in the on condition.

The bed-tilting device is arranged and constructed to accommodate any conventional size hospital bed thereon and the control system can be pre-set so that the hospital bed will continuously operate to perform a number of selected tilting functions. It will be noted that opposite ends of the hospital bed may be successively raised and lowered with provision for interrupting movement of the tilting of the bed-tilting device at the horizontal position. It will also be noted that the amount of lift of opposite ends of the bed may be variously pre-set as well as the time interval the bed will be maintained in a given position. In practice, it has been found that the maximum lift or elevation either end of the bed should be moved from the horizontal need not be any more than twelve inches and the position selector switches 80 and 81 are so interrelated to the means for extending the leg structures so that the bed will not be tilted or raised more than approximately twelve inches.

It will further be seen that the apparatus obviates the necessity of an attendant since the tilting operation can be continuously performed. In this respect it is pointed out that the bed is not continuously tilted since it is preferred that the bed be maintained in a tilted or horizontal position for a predetermined period of time to obtain the maximum benefit.

It will further be seen that the control system `in no way requires a patient to manipulate the controls land the control system may be pre-set for performing a number of separate tilting operations.

It will therefore be seen from the foregoing description that we have provided a bed-tilting device which is capable of accommodating most conventional size hospital beds, 4and which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but our bed-tilting device functions in a more eicient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts Without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bed bodily thereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of a hospital bed so mounted thereon, said device comprising an elongate frame structure having front and rear ends,

vertically adjustable front and rear leg structures connected to opposite ends of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section connected to said lower leg section for vertical translation relative thereto between a non-extended position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the legs of a hospita bed thereon,

means connected to said front land rear leg structures to permit vertical translation of each leg structure independently of the other whereby when one of said leg structures is extended a hospital bed supported on said upper leg sections will have one end thereof elevated and will be tilted about an axis extending transversely of the bed and transversely through the non-extended leg structure so that a mattress supported on the hospital bed will be maintained in a straight inclined position, said leg structures when in an unextended -condition allowing a hospital bed supported by the leg structures to be oriented in substantially horizontal relation with respect to a support surface such as a floor upon which the leg structures are supported,

mechanism mounted on said frame structure for movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said mechanism being operable to actuate said leg structure adjusting means,

reversible drive means operatively connected with said actuating mechanism and being operable for shifting said actuating mechanism selectively in opposite directions whereby when one of said leg structures is in an extended position, the other -of said leg structures will be in a non-extended position,

and control means for controlling said drive means to permit said mechanism to be selectively shifted in opposite directions.

2. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bed thereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of such a hospital bed, said device comprising an elongate frame structure having front and rear ends,

vertically adjustable front and rear leg structures connected to opposite ends of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section connected to said lower leg section for vertical adjustment relative thereto between a lowered non-extended position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the legs of a hospital bed thereon,

cable means connected to each of said front and rear leg structures to permit vertical adjustment of said leg structures independently of each other whereby when the cable means connected to said front leg structure is tensioned, the upper leg section thereof will be extended relative to the associated lower leg section, and when the cable means connected to said rear leg structure is tensioned, the upper leg section thereof will be extended relative to the lower leg section thereof, said leg structures when in an unextended condition allowing a hospital bed mounted thereon to be disposed in substantially horizontal relation with respect to a support surface such Ias a floor upon which the leg structures are supported,

a carriage mechanism connected to said cable means and being mounted on said frame structure for longitudinal movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said carriage mechanism when shifted in one direction tensioning the cable means connected with one of said leg structures, and tensioning the cable means connected with the other leg structure when shifted in the opposite direction,

reversible drive means operatively connected with said carriage mechanism and being operable for shifting ll said carriage mechanism selectively in opposite directions, and control means for controlling said drive means to permit said carriage mechanism to be selectively shifted in opposite directions. 3. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bed -thereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of such a hospital bed, said device comprising an elongate frame structure having front and rear ends,

vertically adjustable front and rear leg structures connected to opposite ends of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section connected to said lower leg section for vertical adjustment relative thereto between an unextended lower position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the legs of a hospital bed thereon,

cable means connected to each of said front and rear leg structures to permit vertical adjustment of said leg structures independently of each other whereby when the cable means connected to said front leg structure is tensioncd, the upper leg section thereof will be extended relative to the associated lower leg section, and when the cable means connected to said rear leg structure is tensioncd, the upper leg section thereof will be extended relative to the lower leg section thereof, said leg structures when in an unextendcd condition allowing a bod mounted thereon to be disposed in substantially horizontal relation with respect to a support surface Such as a floor upon which the leg structures are supported,

a carriage mechanism connected to said cable means and being mounted on said frame structure for longitudinal movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said carriage mechanism when shifted in one direction tensioning the cable means connected with one of said leg structures, and tensioning the cable means connected with the other leg structure when shifted in the opposite direction,

reversible electric motor means operatively connected with said carriage mechanism and being operable for shifting said carriage mechanism selectively in opposite directions,

electrical circuitry means connected with said motor means and being connectible to a source of electrical current,

pre-settable function selector control switch means interposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for automatically reversing the drive of said motor means whereby said leg structures may be alternately extended and returned to their unextended position, and also being adjustable to permit the leg structures at one end only of the frame structure -to be extended and retracted,

pre-settable position control switch means interposed in controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for pre-selecting the amount of vertical movement each upper leg section will be moved relative to the associated lower leg section,

and pre-settable timer control switch lmeans interposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for presetting the length of time each leg structure will be retained in the extended and non-extended positions.

4. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bed thereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of such a hospital bed, said device comprising an elongate frame having front and rear ends,

a pair of vertically adjustable front leg structures connected to the front end of said frame structure and a pair of rear leg structures connected to the rear end of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section telescopically connected to its associated lower leg section for vertical adjustment relative thereto between a lowered non-extended position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the legs of a hospital bed thereon,

a plurality of cables each connected to one of said leg structures whereby when the cables connected with said front leg structures are tensioncd, the upper leg sections thereof will be extended relative to the lower leg sections thereof, and when the pair of cables connected to said rear leg structures are tensioned, the upper leg sections thereof Will be extended relative to the lower leg sections thereof, so that the leg structures at one end of the frame structure are independently adjustable relative to the leg structures at the opposite ends of the frame structure, said leg structures when in the unextended condition allowing a hospital bed mounted thereon to be disposed in substantial horizontal relation with respect to a support surface such as a floor upon the leg structures are supported,

a carriage mechanism connected to said cable means and being monted on said frame structure for longitudinal movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said carriage mechanism when shifted in yone direction tensioning the cables connected with the leg structures at one end of the frame structure, and tensioning the pair of cables connected with the leg structures located at the other end of the frame structure when shifted in the opposite direction,

reversible drive means operatively connected with said carriage mechanism and being operable for shifting said carriage mechanism selectively in opposite directions,

and control means for controlling said drive means to permit said carriage to be selectively shifted in opposite directions.

5. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bedthereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of such a hospital bed, said device comprising an elongate frame structure having front and rear ends,

a pair of vertically adjustable front leg structures connected to the front end of said frame structure, and a pair of rear leg structures connected to the rear end of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section telescopically connected to its associated lOwer leg section for vertical adjustment relative thereto between a lowered non-extended position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the legs of a conventional hospital bed thereon,

a plurality of cables each connected to one of said leg structures whereby when the cables connected with said front leg structures are tensioncd, the respective upper leg sections thereof will be extended relative to the respective lower leg sections thereof, and when the pair of cables connected to said rear leg structures are tensioncd, the upper leg sections thereof will be extended relative to the lower leg sections thereof, so that the pair of leg structures at one end of the frame structure are capable of independent adjustment relative to the pair of leg structures at the opposite end of the frame structure, said leg structures when in the non-extended condition allowing a hospital bed mounted thereon to be disposed in substantially horizontal relation to a support surface such as a floor upon which the leg structures are supported,

a carriage mechanism connected to said cables and being mounted on said frame structure for longitudinal movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said carriage mechanism when shifted in one direction tensioning the cables connected with the leg structures at one of the frame structure, and tensioning the pair of cables connected with the leg structures located at the opposite ends of the frame structure when shifted in the opposite direction, said carriage mechanism when disposed in a midposition relative to its limits of travel relaxing the tension on all of said cables and thereby allowing the leg structures to return to their unextended position,

reversible drive means operatively connected with said carriage mechanism and being operable to shift said carriage mechanism selectively in opposite directions,

and control means for controlling said drive means to permit said carriage t-o be selectively shifted in opposite directions.

6. A bed-tilting device for supporting a hospital bed thereon and being operable to permit controlled tilting of such a hospital bed, said device comprising an elongate frame structure having front and rear ends,

a pair of vertically adjustable front leg structures connected to the front end of said frame structure, and a pair of rear leg structures connected to the rear end of said frame structure, each of said leg structures including a lower leg section and an upper leg section telescopically connected to its associated lower leg section for vertical adjustment relative thereto between a lowered non-extended position and an extended position, said upper leg sections of said leg structures having means thereon for engaging and supporting the lower ends of the legs of a conventional hospital bed thereon,

a plurality of cables each connected to one of said leg structures whereby when the cables connected with said front leg structures are tensioned, the respective upper leg sections thereof will be extended relative to the associated lower leg sections thereof, and when the pair of cables connected to said rear leg structures are tensioned, the upper leg sections thereof will be extended relative to the associated lower leg sections thereof, so that the pair of leg structures at one end of the frame are capable of independent adjustment relative to the pair of leg struct-ures at the opposite end of the frame structure, said leg structures when in the non-extended condition allowing a hospital bed mounted thereon to be disposed in substantially horizontal relation to a support surface such as a oor upon which the leg structures are supported,

a carriage mechanism connected to said cables and being mounted on said frame for limited longitudinal movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said carriage mechanism when shifted in one direction tensioning the cables connected with the leg structures located at one end of the frame structure, and tensioning the pair of cables connected with the leg structures located at the opposite end of the leg structure when shifted in the opposite direction, said Vcarriage mechanism when disposed in a mid-position relative to its limits of travel relaxing the tension on all of said cables and thereby allowing the leg structures to return to their unextended position,

reversible drive means operatively connected with said carriage mechanism and being operable for shifting said carriage mechanism,

electrical circuitry means connected with said motor means and being connectible to a source of electrical current,

pre-settable function selector control switch means interposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for automatically reversing the drive of said motor means whereby said carriages may be alternately shifted longitudinally of said frame structure in opposite directions from its mid-position, and also being adjustable to permit the carriage to be shifted in one direction Ionly from its mid-position and returned thereto,

pre-settable position control switch means interposed in controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for pre-selecting the amount of movement of said carriage will lbe shifted from its mid-position,

and pre-settable timer control switch means interposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to said motor means and being variously adjustable for presetting the length of time said carriage will be retained in its mid-position, and in its other positions of travel with respect to its mid-position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,382 1/ 1955 Brand 12'8--33 2,830,303 4/ 1958 Sandock 5-63 2,880,720 4/ 1959 Houghtaling 128-33 3,129,607 4/ 1964 Schaefer 20G-47 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

C. A. NUNBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BED-TILTING DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A HOSPITAL BED BODILY THEREON AND BEING OPERABLE TO PERMIT CONTROLLED TILTING OF A HOSPITAL BED SO MOUNTED THEREON SAID DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE FRAME STRUCTURE HAVING FRONT AND REAR ENDS, VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE FRONT AND REAR LEG STRUCTURES CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID FRAME STRUCTURE, EACH OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES INCLUDING A LOWER LEG SECTION AND AN UPPER LEG SECTION CONNECTED TO SAID LOWER LEG SECTION FOR VERTICAL TRANSLATION RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN A NON-EXTENDED POSITION AND AN EXTENDED POSITION, SAID UPPER LEG SECTIONS OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES HAVING MEANS THEREON FOR ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING THE LEGS OF A HOSPITAL BED THEREON, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT AND REAR LEG STRUCTURES TO PERMIT VERTICAL TRANSLATION OF EACH LEG STRUCTURE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER WHEREBY WHEN ONE OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES IS EXTENDED A HOSPITAL BED SUPPORTED ON SAID UPPER LEG SECTIONS WILL HAVE ONE END THEREOF ELEVATED AND WILL BE TILTED ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE BED AND TRANSVERSELY THROUGH THE NON-EXTENDED LEG STRUCTURE SO THAT A MATTRESS SUPPORTED ON THE HOSPITAL BED WILL BE MAINTAINED IN A STRAIGHT INCLINED POSITION, SAID LEG STRUCTURES WHEN IN AN UNEXTENDED CONDITION ALLOWING A HOSPITAL BED SUPPORTED BY THE LEG STRUCTURES TO BE ORIENTED IN SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO A SUPPORT SURFACE SUCH AS A FLOOR UPON WHICH THE LEG STRUCTURES ARE SUPPORTED, MECHANISM MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR MOVEMENT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS RELATIVE THERETO, SAID MECHANISM BEING OPERABLE TO ACTUATE SAID LEG STRUCTURE ADJUSTING MEANS, REVERSIBLE DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID ACTUATING MECHANISM AND BEING OPERABLE FOR SHIFTING SAID ACTUATING MECHANISM SELECTIVELY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WHEREBY WHEN ONE OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES IS IN AN EXTENDED POSITION, THE OTHER OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES WILL BE IN A NON-EXTENDED POSITION, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID DRIVE MEANS TO PERMIT SAID MECHANISM TO BE SELECTIVELY SHIFTED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. 